Jerad Raines Photography
Detail of Himeji Castle with cherry trees in bloom in the foreground

Himeji, Japan

Only Color Left

Here’s a secret. This is my favorite photo of the trip and it was totally unplanned. I love the simplicity and focus of the shot, as well as how majestic, towering, and frankly imposing the castle looks from the main gate. I can’t imagine being an invader, trying to storm the castle. This view, to my mind, would be totally demoralizing. It looks unassailable, impregnable—and that’s without archers at every window and spearmen on every wall. I took this shot handheld while standing in line, waiting for them to open the gates for the morning. I polarized the sky to darken it and add drama. Because the castle is black and white, I think the shot works best with the warm tones of the morning scrubbed from the white walls. But, the cherry trees were in pristine full bloom, so I decided to make a selective color photo out of this one. I know those can be cliche, but I think this works with the soft pink of the cherry blossoms. Let me know if you agree or disagree.

Nikon D850 · Nikkor 70-200mm · 112mm · f/8 · 1/320 sec · ISO 64

Limited Edition Print

Available as a limited edition fine art print, produced on demand in four finishes. Full sizing and materials are on the prints page.

Editions & certificates

Each image is released as a limited edition of 50 — that's 50 pieces total, across every size and every finish combined, not 50 of each. When an edition closes, that image is retired and never offered as a print again. A few signature images are released in smaller editions.

Outside that count, I keep one Artist's Proof of each image for myself. It's occasionally available by private request, at a premium.

Every piece is numbered and comes with a matching signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Paper prints are signed by hand before they ship; the face-mounted pieces travel straight from the lab to you, so the certificate carries the signature rather than the panel.

As an edition sells down, the price steps up. The earliest collectors of an image always pay the least for it.

Full details on The Prints page →

Request a quote

Every piece is made to order. Choose a size and finish and I'll confirm availability, the current edition price, and timing.

Which finish should I choose?

Lumachrome Face-mounted to TruLife acrylic

A layered transparency print, face-mounted to anti-reflective acrylic. The image is printed on clear film over a white reflective base, so light passes through the emulsion twice — inbound and outbound — before it reaches the eye.

Best for: Deep color, dramatic light, anything you want to stop people in a hallway.

Chromaluxe Dye-sublimation on aluminum

Under heat and pressure, the dye passes directly from solid to gas and diffuses into a polymer coating bonded to the panel. The image ends up within that coating rather than sitting on top of it.

Best for: Bright scenes, water, snow, big skies. Also the most durable option.

Supralume High-gloss canvas on aluminum composite

Canvas with the gloss integral to the print rather than varnished on afterward, surface-bonded to an aluminum composite panel. It keeps canvas texture without the detail loss and reduced black density that matte canvas normally costs.

Best for: Texture and detail — rock, bark, forest, anything intricate.

Fine Art Paper Canson Infinity Rag Photographique, 310 gsm cotton

A 310 gsm, 100% cotton rag with a smooth matte surface and no optical brighteners. The most traditional of the four, and the only one I sign by hand before it ships.

Best for: Quieter work, black and white, and anyone with a framer they trust.

Full details on The Prints page →

No payment now — I'll reply with confirmation and next steps.

Prefer email? hello@jeradrainesphotography.com

Frame 9 of 12

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